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Released: 6/23/2016

Walt Whitman Bridge to Close for 20 Minute Intervals between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on June 27 & 28

Nightly periodic closures are needed for a roadway shield installation.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Walt Whitman Bridge will close to traffic for 20 minute intervals between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on the nights of Monday, June 27 & Tuesday, June 28. The periodic closures are necessary to allow construction crews to install a temporary roadway shield around the bridge’s New Jersey tower. The shield will protect vehicles from overhead work during the bridge’s $56 million painting project.

Starting at 9 p.m. on closure nights, bridge traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. At 10 p.m., all traffic will be stopped and the first 20-minute closure will occur. In between each closure, the bridge will reopen for 10 minutes to allow stopped traffic to cross.

Motorists are strongly advised to use the Ben Franklin Bridge or Commodore Barry Bridge during these times. Variable message signs across the region will advise motorists about the closures and delays. In case of inclement weather, the work will be postponed and rescheduled. Morning rush hours will be unaffected and closures do not occur on nights with scheduled events at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

The Walt Whitman Bridge painting project began earlier this year. The project consists of blast cleaning and painting the bridge suspension spans; interior and exterior of the towers, girders and diaphragms supporting the anchorage decks; and painting the main cables and suspender ropes. The work also includes performing structural repairs of various bridge components. The bridge was last painted in 1992.

In addition to the painting project, the bridge is receiving $7.7 million worth of improvements to its toll plaza, roadways and ramps.